[Prognostic factors influencing survival after operations for gastric cancer in the elderly]

The prognostic factors influencing survival after operations for gastric cancer in the elderly were evaluated by Cox's proportional hazards model analysis. Data were obtained from 511 operations over a 10-year period, in patients with a mean age of 75.6 +/- 7.9 years. The significant prognostic factors of survival out of 47 examined risk factors were, in order of standardized coefficient values, (1) stage of cancer, (2) %IBW, (3) peritoneal dissemination (P-factor), (4) multiple non-gastric cancers, (5) postoperative hepatic injury and (6) postoperative cardiac complication. No other factors, including preoperative associated diseases and postoperative pulmonary complication (the major risk factor of operative death), were significant risk factors of survival. We conclude that by giving special postoperative attention to prevent hepatic injury and cardiac complication, the length of survival of elderly patients with gastric cancer will improve.